Step 3

Build your interview list

Tell us who you are and where you're trading. We'll assemble the questions that actually apply — including the ones about sales strategy and the contract you'll be handed.

I am

My market looks like

Also true of me (optional)

Assembling your list…Take these to my agent notes →

Experience & track record

How long have you been licensed, and is real estate your full-time job?
How many transactions did you close in the last 12 months, and how many were in my price range?
Do you work solo or on a team? Who will I actually be dealing with day to day?
What percentage of your business is listings versus buyer representation?
How many of your recent buyers won their first-choice home, and how many offers did it take on average?

Local market knowledge

Walk me through what's happening in this specific market right now — inventory, pricing, and how fast things are moving.
Which neighborhoods or pockets do you know best, and which do you not cover?
What are the three most recent comparable sales you'd point to, and why those?
How much do school boundaries and commute times drive pricing in these subdivisions?

Sales strategy

How do you source homes for me — MLS alerts only, or do you find off-market and coming-soon listings?
In a competitive situation, what's your offer strategy, and what have you seen actually win?
How do escalation clauses work, when would you use one, and what's the downside?
Why it matters: Escalation clauses reveal your ceiling and can push you past what the home appraises for.
Which contingencies would you recommend keeping or waiving, and what's the real risk of each?
Why it matters: Waiving inspection or appraisal can cost you your deposit or tens of thousands in cash.
How do you handle an appraisal gap, and how much cash should I be ready to bring?
What's your inspection approach, and which specialists do you recommend for this type of property?
How do you negotiate repairs or credits after inspection without losing the house?
How do you talk me out of a bad deal? Tell me about a time you told a buyer to walk away.
How many homes should I expect to see before making an offer, and how do you schedule showings?

Contract clarification

You'll be asked to sign a buyer agency representation agreement — usually before you tour a single home. These questions unpack what you're agreeing to.

Is this buyer agency agreement exclusive or non-exclusive, and what does that stop me from doing?
Why it matters: An exclusive agreement means you can't shop with another agent during the term without owing money.
How long is the term, and how do I exit early if this isn't working?
Why it matters: Start short. A one-property or 30-day agreement lets you test the relationship.
Exactly how are you paid, and what's the number written in this agreement?
Why it matters: Since 2024, buyer agent pay must be spelled out in writing before you tour homes.
If the seller offers less than the fee in this agreement, do I owe the difference out of pocket?
Why it matters: This is the single biggest surprise cost in the new buyer agreements. Get the answer in writing.
Can we write in that your fee is capped at whatever the seller pays?
Why it matters: It's a common and reasonable amendment that removes your out-of-pocket risk.
What geographic area and property types does this agreement cover?
Why it matters: A statewide, all-property-types scope is far broader than most buyers realize.
Is there a protection period after the agreement ends on homes you showed me?
Why it matters: Buy one of those homes later and you may still owe the fee.
Does this allow dual agency? If you already represent the seller of a home I love, what happens?
Why it matters: Dual agency limits the negotiating advice you're legally allowed to receive.
Does this agreement cover new construction, for-sale-by-owner, or off-market homes I find myself?
Why it matters: Builders and FSBO sellers may not pay a buyer agent at all.
Walk me through the cancellation clause line by line.
What other fees does your brokerage charge a buyer at closing?

Communication & availability

How do you prefer to communicate, and how quickly do you typically respond?
Who covers for you when you're on vacation or in another showing?
How many clients are you actively working with right now?
Will you give me honest feedback I don't want to hear? Give me an example.
Who do you recommend for lender, inspector, attorney, and title — and do you get anything for the referral?

References & red flags

Can you give me two recent clients I can call — including one where the deal got difficult?
Tell me about a transaction that fell apart. What happened and what did you learn?
Have you ever had a complaint filed with your board or license authority?
Why should I choose you over the other two agents I'm interviewing?

My own questions

Contract explanations here are educational, not legal advice. Rules vary by state — have an attorney or your state association review anything before you sign.